​​​​​​TOOLS

​Proposed P2ENDURE IEQ control systems.

“Comfort Eye” is a low-cost sensing device (about €200 for the prototype version with off-the-shelf components), which allows real-time monitoring of indoor thermal comfort. It is based on a microcontroller and a set of sensors and embedded algorithms to derive Predicted Mean Vote index (PMV) for multiple subjects in different positions of the room.The advantages of Comfort Eye are non-invasive multipoint measurement, interoperability and ease of integration and installation. The technician installs the scanning system on the ceiling of the room and connects it to the control unit. The system scans continuously all the surfaces to measure their average temperatures and sends the results back to the control unit. The software developed in the control unit applies all the embedded algorithms and calculations in agreement with ISO standards to derive real-time PMV (and so the thermal sensation) of the user/s within the indoor environment and can provide these data as output [to other devices, Building Management System (BMS), etc.]. The system is flexible, from both hardware and software side, so to allow the development of customized solutions for the different applications and scenarios.The system is able to perform the measurements and send data to other devices through different communication protocols (e.g. Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi, etc.). For example, the user can communicate with the tool through its smartphone and a simple Graphical User Interface (GUI) developed for mobile devices, or through customized dashboards connected with the data stored in a MySQL database.

The device consists of 3 parts:

The IR (infrared) scanning system, which has to be fixed on the ceiling of the room and allows the continuous measurement of surface temperatures;

The control unit, which manages the data flow between the sensors and from/to the user interface and performs the calculation of thermal comfort for multiple positions;

For a long-time monitoring and remote control purposes, an SQL database connection has been developed. It allows the remote monitoring of the room conditions and the interaction with the system. This could allow the application of Comfort Eye in several contexts and scenarios, e.g. for a better microclimate control by means of BMSs (Building Management Systems) and HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning), without the need of a direct interaction between the systems.

In summary, the embedded algorithms allow the provision of continuous maps or discretised distribution of thermal comfort index and mean radiant temperatures. The interaction with the common HVAC system or building management system can be done easily through TCP/IP, RS serial and other home automation protocols. On the other hand, the interaction with the user (the person standing in the room) and the technician can be done through an Android app via a Bluetooth connection.

Proposed P2ENDURE connection to energy grid and RES production.

P2ENDURE targets maximum flexibility in power generation (heat and electricity), distribution and usage. Although power generation devices are becoming more integrated in building components such as facades and roofs, they are still not able to deliver all required energy at the right time. At the district level though, a self-supporting system with different kinds of local generation and storage systems is technically feasible, but the current grid operating systems are not designed to offer the coordination and control for such a network. Therefore, dependency on grids that serve as back-up systems remains crucial.

P2ENDURE will propose innovative solutions for RES (Renewable Energy Sources) and energy grid through the following three-step approach:

to pursue the best utilization of suitable portions of the building-envelope to lodge the RES production [photovoltaic (PV) and thermal systems], in order to optimize the direct use of the electricity/heat self-produced by these devices;

to promote the best utilisation of PnP compact energy storage systems at building level, both to consolidate the market penetration of technologies already available on the market (TRL - Technology Readiness Level 8+) and to boost the implementation of systems that are being developed by P2ENDURE consortium partners and stakeholders in other European projects;

to promote the development and deployment of combined heat and power (CHP) plants, associated to centralized storage systems, within neighbour/district configurations, assisted by control systems (two-way flow of power both for heat and electricity), to enhance their potential of lowering the shift between RES production and end-user demand.

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​​​Proposed P2ENDURE thermal and acoustic scanning technologies.

In P2ENDURE, the Quality Controls for prefab panels will be adopted to provide data for the ICT Platform. The main purpose is to eliminate or reduce the quality gap between the design and construction phase through self-inspection and self-instruction techniques connected with an enhanced Augmented Reality (AR) and a detailed Building Information Model (BIM).

The following functionalities using advanced low-cost sensors geo-referencing of the 3D data will be deployed at live demonstration projects in P2ENDURE for:

Thermal bridges detection: infrared method for a quantitative evaluation of the thermal irregularities (different material, corners, moisture) in building components.

Thermal transmittance degree: measurement of the thermal transmittance of the building components using thermal camera. The innovative procedure developed in the INSITER​ project reduces the duration and the uncertainly of the test in respect to the actual standards and techniques used on site.

Acoustic leakages detection: evaluation of the acoustic performance of the envelope (transmission loss and acoustic leakages) using a MEMS (Micro-Electro Mechanical Systems) array of microphones.

3D geometric scanning and reconstruction: integration of the thermal and acoustic measured data with the points cloud obtained from a 3D laser scanner investigation.

Continuous update of the Building Information Model can be performed in order to have a complete and detailed time history of the performance evolution of the building and of each building components.

Proposed P2ENDURE 3D scanning (geomatics) – laser and photogrammetry.

Applications of 3D laser scanning technologies range from the building scale to environment assessment, up to infrastructures, for refurbishment/renovation projects, to manage the construction site or to condition assessment. Different devices can be used depending on needs and application (exterior/envelope, interior morphologies, accurate inspection aimed at energy refurbishment, etc.). Laser scanners have increased their efficiency exponentially. More data can be acquired and higher accuracy can be achieved over longer ranges thanks to advancements in sensor technology. Today market offers a lot of different devices for indoor and outdoor innovative applications (mobile mapping, civil infrastructure, airborne scanning, unmanned, hydrographic, bathymetric, mining and terrestrial, etc.). Today several 3D data capturing technologies are available on the market, even in combination with different sensors, providing new methods for condition assessment survey based on predictive analysis (diagnostic) and non-destructive procedures (thermal imaging, level of reflectivity, integrated sensors, spectrophotometry, and sonic surveys). 3D survey technology allows spending more time in the office, and less time in the field. It enables to work faster, make more informed decisions, and reduces the risk of measure/evaluation errors, with a great economic impact. The hardware solutions can create a digital 3D image of anything in reality, from an object to a whole environment. Software solutions can extract many different information (visualize, measure, map, inspect, document). Different parameters such as quality indicators, time-consumption, cost-effectiveness, results accuracy and reliability depend from different available technologies. Today the market offers a wide range of technologies and devices for 3D capturing, and instruments are more and more accurate and fast. Current gaps are related to the amount of data (time consuming process) and the technological integration between different kinds of devices. While sensor technology develops, the amount of 3D point cloud data acquired increases rapidly, approaching near real time observations. 3D point cloud data is increasingly needed for decision making in smart systems.​

Related with the intended demonstration projects, some practical examples of 3D scanning in combination with prefab panels for deep retrofitting of heritage buildings are as follows:

Case school building in Tilburg, NL – Project transformation of the school building (cultural heritage from post-war rebuilding period). The building will be fully 3D scanned and refurbished with prefabricated façade panels. The specific details of this functionalistic building are straightforward (industrial detailing). The façade panels will be constructed on the base of steel frame construction. Production of these panels will take place computer-controlled and in-factory.

Case Lidwina Monastery (reserve project) in Tilburg, NL – Retrofitting including re-insulation of a large-scale historic building. At a design level, the renovation actions for this historic building will be varied. The exterior facades which can be observed from public space with will be renovated. The other exterior facades which can only be seen from inner / private space will possibly be subjected to major change and/or building extension. 3D scanning this building will contribute to an efficient renovation (fast assembly, low material waste, minimal risk errors). The 3D model will be an effective instrument to control computerized production process of the facade panels (in this case steel frame elements or timber frame) and integrated technical modules (technique, sanitary, kitchen).

Proposed P2ENDURE on-site 3D printing and robotics.

P2ENDURE further develops and implements robotic technologies for on-site 3D printing for façade retrofitting. This solution works with various sorts of materials, yet a mix of Thermosilit and limestone is currently preferred to create effective layers of insulation. 3D printing is primarily used to create plastering with special limestone material on concrete walls, ventilation ducts, or water pipes. It gives a 3D design exterior finishing in combination with painting. 3D printing is also used to create a façade layer with any kind of materials suited for the new or retrofitted building structure. In combination with robotic technologies, mounting of windows or other PnP prefab components can also be done very effectively and efficiently on-site. The robots are controlled by an on-site scanning and coordination system. 3D BIM model (currently based on Revit software) is used to pre-programme the robots and on-site processes. By using robots, the number of construction workers on-site can be kept up to 2 or 3 persons. No scaffolding is needed.​